6.5x47 Lapua

I have a sako 75 .243 sitting here that I want to make into a 6.5mm for LR, but I'm going to have mag issues if I go with a .260 - not enough room... I have read that you can nearly equal .260 speeds with the x47, and since it's a bit shorter, that might help with fitting the VLDs in the mag...

I have built a few of them now...I run the 130 bergers or JLK's in my rifle at 3000fps. The other 3 are within 20fps of the same velocity with the same load. It is a very consistent cartrigde to say the least. My rifle was a bit finicky during load development, but once I got into the sweet spot, things turned amazing in a hurry. All of the one's I have built so far have 26" barrels. I have some pictures in the gun photo area. I have some 140's sitting here to try with some RL17. Most guys are getting 2950 with that combination. Depending on what you are hunting, that will get the job done.

Figure it this way....The 270 winchester has been used on just about any type of game out there. All of the ones I have shot or had experience with shoot between 2900 and 3100 with the 130's. The 6.5 130 has a higher BC and shoots at the 3000fps mark easily. Higher BC, more energy, less recoil, less powder.

I have built them on Remington SA's and used the standard bdl mag setup, and had no problems with fitting a loaded round in. I built on a surgeon and a lawton and used the badger detachable mag setup also....no problem with fitting a loaded round in those either. My OAL with the 130 bergers is around 2.77" and with the JLK's is 2.795". Not sure what your Sako magazine will accept.

If your mag can handle just under 3", you will no problem with the 260R, or better yet an improved 260.

I shoot 139gr Lapuas with an OAL under 3". This is a very long bullet and not ideal for hunting but shows you that you can stuff most hunting bullets into your mag. I think the 140gr Amax would make a great LR bullet.

The 6.5X47L works really well at high pressures. I personally don't like a hunting rd that has to work at elevated pressures. There is simply no room to account for weather.

If the rd is loaded to say, magnum pressures, it should equal a 260R at standard pressures. If you load the 260R to the same pressures, you get more performance.

There is no replacement for displacement.

I have heard competition shooters reach 2900fps in long barrels with 140gr class bullets but have yet to see that posted in shorter hunting length tubes (YMMV). Likely, the elevated pressures start to show up in standard actions limiting performance.

Most reports I have read show lighter 123/130gr bullets reaching around 2800fps and the 140's around 2650/2700fps.

I prefer using case capacity to get me my velocity in a hunting rig. Stuck bolts are no fun when chasing game.

Same issues with the 6.5 Creedmore and this is a few grains bigger.
Jerry

My barrels have all been 25-26" long and I have not had a problem getting any of them to 3000 with the 130's. So far I have loaded my cases 11 times with some of them pushed to the upper limit...3100+fps. All of the primer pockets are still tight and I have not seen any other pressure signs. I don't own a 260 for comparison. I had thought about building a 260 imp., but the bullets seemed to be seated deep in the case. Either round would be a great hunting rifle.